Rrl techniques dr. ronnie amorado

Writing RRL for more engaging research!
Dr. Ronnie V. Amorado
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
Syracuse University, NY

PostPost--doctorate researchdoctorate research
experience as a Humphreyexperience as a Humphrey
Fellow in the US onFellow in the US on
governance, leadership,governance, leadership,
citizenship andcitizenship and

There are many styles and
techniques in writing RRL;
no hard-and-fast rule.
Discover and hone your creative
styles that are enriched by your
professional and research
experiences.
Scholarly work in research: keep
tab of what you read, write and
espouse (and eat, pray and love).

Based on your experience
in writing your thesis or
dissertation, what part
of writing interests you?
Why?
What do you find the
most enjoyable or the
most difficult? Why?
Name/School/Degree: ________ Research Topic: __________
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Why do you need to do the RRL? What
good does it bring to your research?
Name/School/Degree: ________ Research Topic: __________
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“A literature review is an original
[scholarly] work based on a critical
review of the literature on a topic”
(Pan 2004:v).
“A literature review is a synthesis –
the combining of often varied and
diverse ideas, forces or factors into
coherent or consistent complex – of
the literature on a topic”
(Pan 2004:1).
Pan, M.Ling. 2004. Preparing Literature Reviews:
Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches.
CA: Pyrczak Publishing.

“A review of related literature is the
process of collecting, selecting and
reading...reference materials
including electronic resources...to
get relevant information about the
problem under investigation”
(David 2002:30)
David, Fely P. 2002. “Reviewing Literature.”
Understanding and Doing Research: A
Handbook for Beginners. Philippines:
Panorama Printing.

“A literature review is designed to
identify related research, to set the
current research project within a
conceptual and theoretical context.”
(University of Missouri, internet ref 2010).
Review of Literature | University of Missouri @
http://ludwig.missouri.edu/405/review.html.
Accessed on February 10, 2010.

Literature Review at Wikipedia @
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature_review.
Accessed on January 5, 2011.
“A literature review is a body of text
that aims to review the critical points
of current knowledge including
substantive findings as well as
theoretical and methodological
contributions to a particular topic..”
(Wikipedia, internet ref 2011).

• Journals
• Books/e-Books
• Biographies
• Official Documents
• Institutional Reports
• Concept Papers
• Strategy Papers
• White Papers
• Speeches
• Letters/Correspondence
• News reports
• Presentation materials
• Internet Sources:
(blogs, essays, e-mails)
A literature
is primarily
and liberally
any printed
material
used for
research
reference.

A literature
is primarily
and liberally
any printed
material used
for research
reference.
If citing an
unprinted
source or
information,
like a public speech
or a lecture, you can
mention in main text
or make the
attribution in the
footnote or endnote.

If citing an unprinted source or information
In his Inaugural Address, Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III
made corruption as his centerpiece of reform in all
aspects of Philippine governance, aspiring to lift the
country from poverty through effective government
and warning those who continue on their
"crookedness that have become the norm for too
long." This spurred a renewed motivation for each
and every Filipino to help in the fight against the
scourge of corruption. There is now an opened
landscape that provides fresh opportunity to
seriously curtail corruption in the country.
Direct quotes for borrowed exact phrase or sentence;
the rest are by attribution (rephrased, restated).

A way of archival research when we
scour and dig on printed materials.
Scan the extent of generated
knowledge.
Know what is known in order to know
the unknown (knowledge gaps).
Show why your research is important
and show what it can add to existing
research or body of knowledge.

Writing the RRL is actually
writing the entire research.
RRL is not just in one chapter; the
entire research is actually writing the
RRL because we can attribute or cite
literature or references anywhere in
our research.
Avoid style asymmetry, where only RRL chapter
contains references and other chapters do not.

Writing RRL has subliminal functions
that reveal or test our initiative, interest,
energy and skills in reading, writing,
conceptualizing, critical and creative
thinking, research skills, even library
skills and internet skills, among others.
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Knowledge scoping and levelling
• Know the known and the unknown
Benchmarking
• Extent and level of
knowledge generation
Locating knowledge
• Situating the research
with existing literature
Resonating with knowledge
• Affirmation or association with other
literature; knowledge reinforcement
Referencing
• Attribution and citation;
knowledge multipliers

RRL is the meat of research; it is the
foundation of the research manuscript.
RRL writing style should already be evident
in the first chapter up to the last chapter.
RRL may or may not be a separate chapter;
all chapters are already RRL by nature
(merging RRL and Conceptual Framework).

RRL is the barometer of the extent
of materials collected, read, analyzed
or referenced.
RRL is the creativity of research;
researchers have to be creative in
researching and writing.
RRL is both technical writing and
creative writing.

Enumerated literature;
re-stated literature
‘Copy-and-paste’ syndrome;
deliberate plagiarism
Unintentional plagiarism resulting
from poor recording and organizing
Mediocrity of compliance
‘Shelf life tragedy’

Mediocrity of compliance
Why waste our intellect, effort, time
and money just for compliance?
“Para matapos lang ang thesis ko...”
“May ma-submit lang sa teacher...”
“Just to meet the requirements...”
“I just need the degree for promotion...”
“I’ll just let my staff do the writing...”

‘Shelf life tragedy’
Most research works end up being
stacked – in a hoarding fashion –
in the offices or library shelves,
gathering dust and growing molds!
Why waste our intellect, effort, time
and money for the dusts and molds?
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It is difficult,
even impossible,
to develop good
researchers who
can produce and
write good
research with the
old, bad habits
which continue
to be rampant in
many colleges
and universities. Internet photo

Is borne out of passion and
dedication of the researcher.
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Is in the service of the conceptual or
theoretical framework, as well as the other
parts of the research.
Is creative and engaging; not just mere
collection of existing literature.
Is elaborate that overlaps or combines with
many styles and techniques; key is
creativity.
Shows balance between the researcher’s
ideas and concepts, and the existing
literature properly referenced by
attribution or citation.

Thus, writing RRL is more than a review of
existing literature. Writing RRL is to engage
and interact with the literature, with the aim
of locating and positioning the research in
the existing body of knowledge.
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Writing a good and engaging RRL
is like writing a script with a
clear and coherent flow.
Introductory
• Main ideas, concepts, or
assertions of the researcher
Body
• Interacting with literature
(different techniques)
Concluding
• Reiteration of assertions

Literature organizing/stock-taking
• processing the literature
Script writing
• developing the story outline
Segue making
• developing transitions
Logic making
• cross-reasoning
Referencing
• attribution to recognize
similar ideas or re-phrased ideas
• citation for direct quotes

Literature organizing/stock-taking
• processing the literature
Some techniques
• Single document information collation
(literature to literature)
• Matrix collation (multiple literature)

Some techniques in organizing
• Single document information collation

Some techniques in organizing
• Matrix collation (multiple literature)
Gatmaytan, Cielo M. 2011. Influencing Physician Prescribing Behavior: Direct-
to-Consumer Advertising and the Demand for Me-Too Drugs. Unpublished
Doctoral Dissertation. Northeastern University. Boston, Massachusetts

Inventory – (in Amorado 2005:1)
THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL VIEWS that explain the causes
of poverty in the Philippines...There are those who argue
against the government’s neoliberal economic policies which
impede, rather than promote, economic growth. Others are
very specific on the factors that reinforce the country’s poverty
– foreign intervention and foreign debt (Constantino 1979 and
Simbulan 1982), religion (Garcia 1993), population (Concepcion
2004), elitism (Bello et al 2004), the lack of education (David
2005) and corruption. While these views have valid grounds
on their own, this study would like to highlight the extent...
of corruption to the country’s well-being.
Amorado, Ronald. 2005. Fixing Society: An Ethnographic Study
of Fixers in the Philippines. Doctoral Dissertation.
Ateneo de Davao University – School of Arts and Sciences.

Inventory – (in Amorado 2007:179-184)
Social capital evolved from different schools of thought, with
each offering definitions, focus, metaphors, and implications
to the individuals and organizations among others. These
schools of thought were developed in distinct but eventually
overlapping theoretical strains:
a. structural theories (Granovetter 1973, 1983; Coleman 1990)
b. sociological theories (Putnam 1993; Putnam 2000)
c. resource theories (Boissevain 1974; Lin 2001)
d. behavioral/practical theories (Carnegie 1981)
Amorado, Ronnie. 2007. Fixing Society: The Inside World of Fixers in
the Philippines. Philippines: Ateneo de Davao University – Research
and Publication Office.

Resonation – (in Alejo 2010)
Citing a Promotio Justitiae exhortation, Alejo (2010:1)
echoed: “Many conflicts and much violence today originate
in corruption and bad governance, amidst lawlessness or
the abuse of law. Corruption in post-conflict situations may
undermine previous peace efforts... This focus requires
expertise and a deep spirituality of integrity that involves the
capacity to listen to the voices and the cries of those who
suffer abuses, and a careful work of advocacy at an
institutional level.”
Alejo, Albert. 2010. Ehemplo: Spirituality of Shared
Integrity in Philippine Church and Society.
Philippines: Institute of Spirituality in Asia.

Resonation (combining with inventory)
The problem of corruption has now been more recognized
than in the past as one of the intractable conflict drivers
in the Philippines (Alejo 2010). This is further exacerbated
because conflict and post-conflict situations can provide
a very fertile ground for corruption and a host of
anomalies and irregularities that undermine peace and
development initiatives in conflict-affected countries
(Bolongaita 2005; Amorado 2008; Adriano 2009; Johnston
2010; Amorado 2011).

Compare and Contrast - (in Amorado 2007)
Some forms of social capital networks emerge as
comparable features: bridge, liaison, star and isolate
(Allen 1976); coalition, clique and factions (Boissevain
1978); hub, gatekeeper and pulse taker (Stephenson
1998); knot and knotwork, subnet and core group (Nardi
et al 2000); dyad, triad, sub-group and group (Prell 2002);
and spoke (Krebs 2004). [But] these forms and structures
move in contrasting fashion when it comes to their
sources of power, specifically in terms of morphological
power and interactional power (Mitchell 1969); strong ties
and weak ties (Granovetter 1973, 1978); strength,
reciprocity, symmetricality, multiplexity, and
appropriateness of behavior (Waldstrom 2001); and
betweeness and closeness (Krebs 2004).

Reinforce and Debunk - (in Amorado 2007)
• Stronger than resonation and contrast
There are two emerging views on social capital as it
relates to the issue of corruption. On one hand, social
capital is an effective tool to combat corruption. But on
the other hand, social capital is in fact a promotion of
corruption.
Setting the premise

Bjornskov (2004) is more upfront in arguing that social
capital prevents corruption. By adapting Putnam’s
(2000) social capital elements of trust and honesty in
society, Bjornskov treats social capital as a tool to
combat corruption since it (social capital) promotes and
reinforces honesty and trust among people. In fact, he
identifies the investment on social capital as one of the
key recommendations to effectively combat corruption...

However... there is a different kind of social capital that
emerges in corruption. In other words, it is not always
that social capital is a herald of socially desirable
outcomes. It is also a shrewd harbinger of shady and
shadowy networks that are not beneficial to the society
in general (Zimicki 2000; McGuire 2000; Carroll 2001;
Ray et al 2001; Milani 2003; Hive Network 2003; Warren
2004).

Converge and Diverge – (in Amorado 2007)
Networks and associations are the foundations of social
capital, widely accepted and upheld of its value that yields to
beneficial effects - known as the social good - to society
(Granovetter 1973, 1983; Boissevain 1974; Bourdieu 1985;
Coleman 1990; Putnam 1993, 2000; Zimicki 2000; Lin 2001;
Uslaner 2001; Milani 2003; Warren 2004;Bjornskov and
Svendsen 2003; Bjornskove 2004). However, many advanced
the idea of a different kind of social capital, one that is
detrimental to society – known as the social bad – that goes
against the very intent of its beneficial value to society
(Henderson 1999; Bertrand 2000; Zimicki 2000; McGuire
2000; Carroll 2001; Rey et al 2001; Milani 2003; Hive Network
2003). This is Putzel's (1997) concept of the dark side of
social capital.

Departure - (in Kpundeh 1998)
• opposed to resonation; similar to contrast
Citing a Promotio Justitiae exhortation, Alejo (2010:1)
echoed: “Many conflicts and much violence today originate
in corruption and bad governance...This focus requires
expertise and a deep spirituality of integrity...” This however,
departs from Kpundeh’s (1998) view that disregarded
corruption being caused by leadership failure as a result of
“moral failing of politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen...
[and thus] it is more useful to consider [corruption] as a
political and economic phenomenon” (Kpundeh 1998:4).”
Kpundeh, Sahr J. 1998. "Political Will in Fighting corruption."
Corruption and Integrity Improvement in Developing Countries.
New York: UNDP.

Argue/persuade
• combining 2 or more techniques
with the aim of supporting some
assertions; drive home the point

Attribution technique – (in Pedahzur 2006:14)
• for rephrased or restated ideas
Terrorism – a pejorative word most organizations refuse
to be labelled by – remains a concept that lacks a
universally accepted definition, as terrorism scholars
have noted (Hoffman 1998; Ganor 2005). The same must
therefore also be true for suicide terrorism, a sub-
category of terrorism.
Pedahzur, Ami. 2006. Root Causes of Suicide Terrorism:
The Globalization of Martyrdom.
London and New YorK: Routledge Taylor and Francis Groups

Attribution technique - (in Mitchell, Jr 1993:8)
• for rephrased or restated ideas
Mysteries are phenomenon perceived as arising
independently of conventional modes of knowledge
production...in rationalist anthropologists’ interpretations
of native magical practices as merely crude utilitarianism,
as poor science (Horton 1967,1979; Jarvie 1960,1979;
Jarvie and Agassi 1970,1979; Winch 1964,1979).
Mitchel Jr, Richard G. 1993. Secrecy and Fieldwork.
London: Sage Publications

There is a different kind of meaning when the researcher
humanly connects with the respondents, who are also
humans rather than mere subject of the research. This
calls for a more engaging method, as Tillman-Healy (2003)
called it in her friendship as method: "I didn’t want to be
thought of as just the guy who showed up every so often
with the tape recorder. I wanted to remain someone who
had connections to their lives in general” (Tillmann-Healy
(2003:2)
Tillmann-Healy, Lisa M. 2003. “Friendship as Method.”
Qualitative Inquiry. Volume 9 Number 5.
Rollins College: Sage Publications
Citation technique - (in Tillman-Healy 2003:2)
• for direct quotes

Individual biography cannot be grasped adequately
outside of a sociological framework. C. Wright Mills
(1959:158) put it this way: “We have come to see that the
biographies of men and women, the kinds of individuals
they variously become, cannot be understood without
reference to the historical structures in which the millieu
of their everyday life are organized.” The relationship
between society and biography is dynamic, reflexive and
interconnected.
Hill, Michael R. 1993. Archival Strategies and Techniques.
Citation technique - (in Hill 1993:3)

Individual biography cannot be grasped adequately
outside of a sociological framework. C. Wright Mills
(1959) put it this way: “We have come to see that the
biographies of men and women, the kinds of individuals
they variously become, cannot be understood without
reference to the historical structures in which the millieu
of their everyday life are organized” (Mills 1959:158). The
relationship between society and biography is dynamic,
reflexive and interconnected.
Hill, Michael R. 1993. Archival Strategies and Techniques.
Citation technique - (in Hill 1993:3)

Social Science/Natural Science Research
• Amorado 2007; Amorado 2011:50
Legal writing
• Aquino v. Arroyo; People of the Philippines vs Arroyo
• Benigno Aquino, Petitioner, v. Gloria Arroyo, Respondent
• G.R Nos. 100323232-90: December 1, 2010 Benigno Aquino,
Petitioner, v. Gloria Arroyo, Respondent
Biblical citations
• Matthew 6:19-24; 1 John 5:21
• 1 John 5:21, New International Version
• Qur’an 3:188; Qur’an 6:165

In Pan (2004:46), citing Harns (2001:155).
Did you
think of it?
Is it common
knowledge?
Yes
No
No
Cite it Do not cite it
Yes
But can do
attribution
technique to
recognize
similar ideas

Passion is the key. Graduate research is a
serious, time-consuming endeavor. Without
passion, we will be wasting a lot of energy,
intellect, time, money and effort.
Compliance is not a good incentive for
passion. It is an incentive for mediocre
minimalism. There can be no pride in our
degree if we just comply with requirements.
Develop the habit of reading, conceptualizing,
organizing literature, connecting concepts,
and writing – technically and creatively.

Aim for publication; aim for utilization of your
research. Aim your research to contribute to
something.
Focus on one major problem or topic, and
develop the concept early on, even at the
first day of the first semester of the first year
of our MA/PhD course work.
Use the same problem or topic in all the
graduate subjects/courses in the entire 2-
years (MA) or 5 years (PhD) course work. This
is already building the RRL for the topic.

Make it a habit to rephrase or restate what
you read to avoid unintentional plagiarism,
but always make the attribution of where you
get your ideas or concepts.
Be very ashamed of deliberate plagiarism.
Systematically organize literature,
for organized analysis, for organized writing.
???

Start the thesis/dissertation process early
on; begin the identification of research
interests and special problems during
enrolment or orientation. Assign mentors as
early as the first year of the MA/PhD
coursework.
Give special focus on the mentees’ ability
to conceptualize and organize the RRL.
Conduct regular research fora and
writeshops to foster a culture of research.
Beware of the ‘Diaz Mall Syndrome.’

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”
“What is wonderful
about great literature
is that it transforms
the man who reads it
towards the condition
of the man who wrote.
- E.M. Forster

Rrl techniques dr. ronnie amorado

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